Perspective: Wk3 - GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION: The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN:  Have you ever had to watch someone close to you go through something horrific, yet the way in which they chose to navigate their circumstances inspired you? Share what impacted you and what choice or choices they made that helped them face those times in such an inspirational way.

SCRIPTURE READING
Read together:  Genesis 39:20-41:1, Romans 15:13, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 6:9

Consider how Joseph might have been developing his inner life even when facing difficult circumstances in his outer life.

HEAD: Explore the Text

1. Share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts you received just from listening to the text, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
2. Again, in bad circumstances, Joseph quickly rises to the top. Do you think this happened immediately or did it take time? And how did Joseph continue to make this impact wherever he went?
3. What insight can you take from the way Joseph impacted others even though he was just a prisoner, a person of little to no importance? Does this attitude remind you of anyone else in Scripture?
4. Do you think the teenage Joseph would have even noticed the dejection of another human being? Describe what you think he has learned along the way that has helped him become a better man, stripped him of his pride and ego, and even able to identify with those suffering.
5. Why do you think Joseph felt confident in being able to interpret the dreams of the baker and cupbearer? What does he say in verse 8 of chapter 40?
6. At the end of this story, again, Joseph is forgotten about. How do you think that must have felt, and how does Joseph survive yet another blow (Remember, he doesn’t know where his life is heading)?

HEART: Personal Reflection

1. In Romans 8: 28, it says that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.” How have you seen this work out in your life, or in the life of someone near to you?
2. How can you and I, as followers of Jesus, continue to follow Him even when life throws us blow after blow after blow?
3. Joseph gives credit where credit is due when it comes to interpreting dreams. How can you and I keep from getting big heads when God blesses and uses us to bless others?
4. Joseph, like Jesus, impacted others by being a servant. Jesus calls us to serve and love others, like He served and loved us. What are some practical ways we can live out this call in our homes, at work, in our faith community, and along the ways of life?

HANDS: Practice This Week
Spiritual Practice: Personalizing God’s Why

• Right out and compare the desires of our sinful nature as described in Galatians 5:19-21, with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
• Then, write out ways to help cultivate each fruit of the Spirit in your life.
• Do an inventory of the things you’re spending your life with right now. Which of those things are helping produce the fruit of the Spirit, and which are pushing you to your sinful nature? Ask God to help you be rooted and established in His love, His fruit, over that of the worlds.

Invite the group to check in next week about their experience.

FINISH WELL: Bring It Home

• God sent Himself to us, and sent us to others. Do you sense an area in your life where God is sending you to be a blessing, share his love, carry his peace, etc…?
• Is there something holding you back from answering that call and if so, what, and what would it take for you to let go and say along with Isaiah, “Here I am, send me!”

WORDS TO REMEMBER
“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:37b-38, NLT)